The reform of the Highway Code has also passed the Senate, officially becoming law. The final approval, strongly supported by the League and the Minister of Transport Matteo Salvini, was welcomed with satisfaction by the majority benches and by the government. However, the opposition and some trade associations have expressed strong criticism and doubts regarding the new measures.
Among the most controversial issues are the crackdown on scooters, new speed camera regulations, the rules for restricted traffic zones (ZTLs), and checks on drug-driving. Just meters from Palazzo Madama, a flash mob of cyclists protested the reform, calling it "hostile to sustainable mobility" and arguing that it doesn't truly honor road victims. About fifty demonstrators joined the protest.
The deputy prime minister and leader of the League party has a completely different opinion. For Salvini, the reform is "the result of a long discussion lasting over a year with associations, local authorities, automotive companies, and experts, with a common goal: to reduce car accidents on Italian roads."
The text of the delegation law had been blocked in the Senate for months, due to a heated clash between Forza Italia, which aimed for substantial changes, and the League, which intended to speed up approval by avoiding a double passage in the Chamber. Now, with the applause of the entire majority, the reform is finally law.
According to Salvini, the measure will ensure "greater safety and prevention, combating abuse and bad behavior, updated regulations, and effective road safety education." The Northern League group shares this enthusiasm, highlighting some of the key measures: from a ban on "wild scooters" to harsher penalties for violators.
New Highway Code 2024: all the news
The new features regarding the 2024 Highway Code are certainly not few and concern several areas. The crackdown desired by the center-right government led by Giorgia Meloni has translated, not without complications, into new rules that closely concern the safety of those who drive and those who find themselves circulating, on foot or by other means, on public roads. One above all? The introduction by law of the Alcolock, a device to be installed on the cars of those who are caught for the first time with a blood alcohol level higher than 0,8 g/l and capable of verifying that this limit drops to 0 in 2 or 3 years (depending on the crime), under penalty of revocation of the license and more serious damages that can also result in criminal proceedings in the event of an accident with intent.
This device detects the blood alcohol level and prevents the engine from starting if it exceeds the preset limits.
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Another rule that is changing is the one on speed limits in the new Highway Code 2024. Anyone who exceeds the limit will have to present the number of points remaining on their license and if these are between 10 and 19, the license is suspended for 7 days, which becomes 15 if the points are between 1 and 9. Driving the wrong way, without a seat belt or not having anti-abandonment seats on board can also result in the deduction of points and the suspension of the license in various forms. The famous post-Covid rules on scooters are ready to come into force with the new Code: mandatory turn signals, obligation to wear a helmet and license plate/insurance for new-generation scooters. For scooter rental companies, it will be up to them to adapt the fleet and continue on the road to geofencing, i.e. a GPS device that automatically limits the speed to 6 km/h if the presence of the scooter in motion is detected in a pedestrian area.
Safety, even in another form. There is a lot of talk about speed cameras and on this point Minister Salvini wanted to say enough to the so-called wild speed cameras. Seen by many, including the State, as a way to fill the coffers of the municipalities, the new devices will now be installed only on roads that have particular conditions (e.g. roads with a high accident rate). There is also news on the front of new drivers: the power limit, now increased from 55 kW/t to 75 kW/t and from 70 kW of power to 105 kW (approx. 142 HP) extends for 3 years from the moment of obtaining the B license. For electric and plug-in hybrids, however, the power limit is 65 kW/t.
With the increase in smartphones and their indiscriminate use while driving, safety is once again being talked about forcefully in the new Highway Code 2024: fines are getting steep for those caught with a phone while driving (from 422 to 1.697 euros) and the license is suspended from 15 days to 2 months. Proportionately higher fines, up to 2.588 euros, in the event of a repeat offense, with license suspension for up to 3 months and a deduction of 10 points, which become 20 if the distraction causes an accident with injuries.
Finally, animal rights activists and those armed with common sense rejoice: the fine for abandoning an animal has increased by a third, which can lead to a fine of 10.000 euros, but if abandonment causes an accident with serious consequences for people, the rules are those foreseen for road homicide, without discounts.
New Highway Code 2024: What to Watch Out For
Obviously, with the entry into force of the new Highway Code 2024, the driver must be careful about a series of things, even more than in the past. We have seen it in the case of using the smartphone, which from a simple distraction at the traffic lights or even worse while driving can lead to really serious trouble if you are caught by the police. The previous paragraph did not mention illegal parking, but this too is punished more with the change in the Code: those who park their car in a disabled parking lot must pay up to 990 euros, while parking in the lanes reserved for public transport carries a fine of up to 660 euros, 328 euros if it concerns a two-wheeled vehicle.
The same caution applies if you ride a scooter to work to avoid getting stuck in rush hour traffic: you'll need to purchase or retrofit your scooter with indicators and a license plate, which will require insurance. Don't forget your helmet, which is now mandatory. Of course, the latest developments regarding alcohol and drug use and abuse are equally important.
Basically, no one should drive after consuming, but doing so can lead to trouble that can lead to the total revocation of the license for up to 3 years, with consequent damages for those who work and need the vehicle as a means of transport. In general, the new Highway Code places greater emphasis, and it has been discussed for years, on behaviors that can create danger for the community. This is demonstrated by the new rules to be applied on scooters, the use of which was becoming practically uncontrolled, but also those on the abandonment of animals, always to be condemned, but punishable by law if the abandonment causes an accident with injuries or even worse, death of motorists.
Comments (1)
The new traffic code law is a major change but it seems to me that there are too many rules that can confuse people. Even scooters have become complicated, but I hope that in the end it will bring more safety on the roads. But you have to be careful with all these changes, because it is not easy to follow everything.